1

Data Collection Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Be Seen First

Conduct basic software operations to support real-time data collection. * Accurately document ... Collaborate with engineers, providing valuable feedback to enhance system performance. * Assist ...

Data Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$150K - $450K/yr

The Role As a Data Engineer specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and large-scale data ... Document data collection methodologies, dataset characteristics, and pipeline architecture clearly ...

Data Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

$134.40K - $161.40K/yr

The Role As a Data Engineer specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and large-scale data ... Document data collection methodologies, dataset characteristics, and pipeline architecture clearly ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Data Collection Engineer information

See California salary details

$50.8K

$145.5K

$194.4K

How much do data collection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for data collection engineer in California is $145,530.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $193,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Data Collection Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Collection Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science or engineering, experience with data acquisition, and proficiency in programming languages like Python or Java. Familiarity with data collection frameworks, APIs, sensor technologies, and cloud platforms is commonly required, along with certifications in data engineering or related fields. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and troubleshooting issues. These skills and qualities are important to ensure accurate, reliable, and scalable data pipelines that support critical business analytics and decision-making.

What are some common challenges Data Collection Engineers face when gathering and managing large-scale datasets?

Data Collection Engineers frequently encounter challenges such as ensuring data quality and consistency across various sources, managing the volume and velocity of incoming data, and handling data privacy or compliance concerns. They must also design robust pipelines that can scale as data needs grow, and often collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, and product teams to align data collection strategies with project goals. Regularly troubleshooting data ingestion errors and adapting to changing data requirements are also key parts of the role.

What are Data Collection Engineers?

Data Collection Engineers are professionals who design, implement, and maintain systems for gathering data from various sources. Their work involves creating pipelines to collect, store, and preprocess data, often in support of analytics, machine learning, or business intelligence projects. They work closely with data scientists and software engineers to ensure data quality and reliability. Data Collection Engineers may use a range of tools and technologies, such as APIs, web scraping frameworks, and database management systems, to automate and optimize data acquisition processes.

What is the difference between Data Collection Engineer vs Data Analyst?

AspectData Collection EngineerData Analyst
Primary FocusDesigning and implementing data collection systems and pipelinesAnalyzing and interpreting data to support business decisions
Skills & CertificationsData engineering, SQL, programming (Python, Java), data architectureStatistical analysis, data visualization, SQL, Excel
Work EnvironmentData engineering teams, IT infrastructure, cloud platformsBusiness units, analytics teams, reporting tools

While Data Collection Engineers focus on building and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructure, Data Analysts interpret the collected data to generate insights. Both roles often collaborate but serve different stages of the data lifecycle, with the engineer ensuring data availability and the analyst deriving actionable insights.

What are popular job titles related to Data Collection Engineer jobs in California? For Data Collection Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Data Collection Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Data Collection Engineer jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Data Collection Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $145,530 per year, or $70 per hour.
Sr. Autonomy Data Collection and Prototyping Engineer

Sr. Autonomy Data Collection and Prototyping Engineer

Rivian

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$162.80K - $203.50K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 16 days ago


Rivian rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 153 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

About Rivian
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
Role Summary
As part of the Autonomy Data Collection and Prototyping team, you will be fundamental in ensuring the quality, integrity, and analytical value of the data generated by Rivian's ADAS/Autonomy test platforms. You will lead the deployment of robust Linux environments and manage low-level Automotive Service Communication (UDS Protocol) to ensure seamless, real-time vehicle interaction. This role is heavily focused on the successful integration, validation, and data acquisition from a comprehensive suite of automotive sensors-including radars, cameras, lidars, and precision positioning systems-directly influencing the development of our autonomous features.
Furthermore, you will be a key contributor to developing on-vehicle Engineering and Operations Tooling HMI (Human-Machine Interface) necessary for efficient test fleet management and data acquisition. This role works cross-functionally with SW development, Data Science, and Hardware Engineering teams based locally and throughout Rivian locations around the country. This role is expected to be onsite, with occasional travel required.
Responsibilities
  • Linux Systems Deployment & Management: Architect, deploy, and maintain custom Linux environments across the test fleet's compute platforms. Optimize OS-level performance for high-bandwidth data logging, ensure system stability, and manage reliable software deployments.
  • Automotive Diagnostics & UDS Communication: Implement and manage vehicle communication utilizing the Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) protocol. Develop custom tooling to read/clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), request high-fidelity vehicle data, and execute diagnostic routines critical for test fleet operations.
  • ADAS Sensor Integration & Validation: Lead the physical and software integration of advanced automotive sensors, specifically Radars, Cameras, Lidars, and Positioning Systems (GNSS/IMU). Validate sensor data integrity, handle time synchronization (e.g., PTP), and ensure highly reliable acquisition pipelines.
  • Engineering Tooling HMI Development: Design and develop the on-vehicle user interface code that allows test teams to manage data logging, view system status, and validate systems in real-time, integrating directly with diagnostic services and live sensor feeds.
  • Hardware & System Debugging: Support advanced triage of system issues using deep technical knowledge of Linux tooling, vehicle networks (Ethernet, CAN), and sensor interfaces to rapidly identify hardware faults, low-level software bugs, and integration bottlenecks.

Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related field is required.
  • 2+ years of experience in software development, embedded systems, or systems engineering, with a strong focus on Linux deployment and automotive hardware integration.
  • Linux Deployment Proficiency: Proven experience building, deploying, and maintaining Linux operating systems in embedded or edge-computing environments. Expertise in Linux command-line tooling, bash scripting, and system-level diagnostics.
  • Automotive Protocols & UDS Expertise: Strong working knowledge of vehicle network architectures (Automotive Ethernet, CAN/CAN-FD) and hands-on experience implementing Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) for vehicle communication.
  • Sensor Integration Experience: Deep understanding of ADAS sensors (Lidar, Radar, Camera) and precision Positioning Systems (GNSS, RTK, IMU). Proven ability to integrate, calibrate, and debug these sensors for high-volume data collection.
  • HMI/UI Development: Experience with mobile, embedded, or desktop UI/UX development frameworks (e.g., Java/Kotlin/Swift, React/Angular, or other HMI tools) to build functional engineering tools.
  • Networking Knowledge: Strong understanding of network architecture (TCP/IP, UDP, PTP/gPTP) and debugging high-speed data links.
  • Programming Languages: Proficiency in Python (for scripting and data analysis) and professional experience with C++ for developing high-performance, system-level components.

Pay Disclosure
Salary Range for California Based Applicants: $162,800-203,500 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment.
Equal Opportunity
Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

What Rivian employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Rivian logo

About Rivian

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Rivian is a pioneering automotive industry player headquartered in Irvine, California. Established in 2009, the company has made notable advancements in developing sustainable transportation solutions. It is widely recognized for its electric adventure vehicles: the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. Rivian is dedicated to creating a positive shift in societal mobility and emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and adventure as part of its core values. Their mission is to keep the world adventurous forever - a testament to their commitment in transitioning the world to sustainable transportation. Rivian's achievements are numerous, with one of the most notable being securing a significant multi-billion dollar investment from Amazon for the production of electric delivery vans.

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2009